Ponder: To think deeply and carefully about something before making a decision.
(Hint: It’s also a good idea to have a spare, like for your eyeliner or car keys!)
SO, PONDER THIS
Meet EMILY.
Like many people, Emily counted the days until retirement. Unlike many people, she knew exactly what she wanted to do once she got there – play tennis. Yes - Every. Single. Day. And she almost did.
At 61, Emily was still a strong player. She played in tournaments, which often resulted in fun lunch dates with great friends. She was living her dream. Then her wrist began to hurt.
At first, she blamed a hard-fought match. She rested, slowed down, and hoped it would improve.
When the doctor found a hairline fracture, he didn’t recommend surgery right away. His advice was, “Live your life and let’s see how it goes.”
(Translation: “Hmm.., I’m not quite sure what we should do but I have to say something before I leave the room!”) So, technically she could continue playing tennis. Emotionally, not that simple.
When I saw Emily, she looked at me and said, “Tennis was my retirement. Now what?” I couldn’t help, thinking, why did you just have ONE item or your Curious List? Or, wait … did you even make a Curious List?
Obviously, she didn’t. She was certain she’d already found her forever activity. Sure, she and her husband had talked about traveling, but he hadn’t retired yet. Tennis would be her mainstay.
And so, with a box of tissues alongside, we began creating one. As we talked, some other interests slowly appeared, including:
Volunteering at a shelter for teens,
Designing and creating fun tennis outfits, and
Writing a Smart Lunch Ideas cookbook.
Then, as if she had an epiphany, she said, “Do you think my tennis friends will still want to have lunch with me if I’m not playing?” I looked her straight in the eye and simply said, “No, Emily, they probably won’t.”
New adventures, new friends and mentors, and new challenges. That is what’s next in the years after leaving full-time work. Emily had to learn the hard way. Imagine how much easier it would have been if those paths and connections had already begun.
We all learn from experience. Sometimes it’s our own experience, and sometimes it’s someone else’s. Today, you’ve just borrowed a little of Emily’s.
Here’s your assignment: grab a pen and make your Curious List. Put it on your desk or somewhere you can notice it every day. Then start exploring.
After all, retirement isn’t about replacing your job. It’s about discovering how many versions of yourself are still waiting to be introduced.
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Best to all,
Loretta loretta@coachingwithloretta.com